Who is allowed to conduct the VI-SPDAT for a client?

• A. Any HMIS user
• B. Only agencies that work directly with households experiencing homelessness
• C. The client themselves
• D. External auditors

Answer: (B)

The VI-SPDAT should be administered by staff from agencies that work directly with households experiencing homelessness. This ensures the interviewer is trained to conduct the assessment sensitively, obtain informed consent, build rapport, and gather accurate, context-rich information needed for appropriate prioritization. Direct-service agencies are also best positioned to handle the data within privacy and data-sharing agreements and to interpret results consistently for housing decisions.

If someone outside direct service—such as a generic HMIS user without specialized training, a client themselves, or an external auditor—tries to conduct it, the results may be less reliable, risk privacy issues, and disrupt proper intake and triage processes.